DECEMBER 13TH

Today in the Revolution ...

First incident of the Revolution — 400 militia attack Fort William & Mary in New Hampshire.

POOR RICHARD'S ALMANACK

Who pleasure gives,Shall joy receive.

— Benjamin Franklin,1734

AMERICANREVOLUTION.ORG

Elizabeth Zane

The name of Elizabeth Zane is inseparably
associated with the history of one of the most memorable incidents
in the annals of border warfare. The most reliable account of
it is that prepared by Mr. Kiernan for the "American Pioneer,"
a Cincinnati journal devoted to sketches relative to the early
settlement of the country. In this a full history is given of
the establishment of Fort Fincastle - afterwards called Fort
Henry, in honor of Patrick Henry - under the superintendence
of Ebenezer Zane and John Caldwell.

This fort stood on the left bank of the Ohio,
a little above the mouth of Wheeling Creek, and near the foot
of a hill that rose abruptly from the inner margin of the bottom
land. Of this land, the portion next the river was cleared, fenced,
and planted with corn. Between the fort and the base of the hill,
the forest had also been cleared away, and there stood some twenty
or thirty log houses; a rude village, which, though of little
importance then, was the germ of one of the fairest cities that
now grace the domain of Virginia. The fort covered about three-quarters
of an acre of ground, and had a block-house at each corner, with
lines of stout pickets about eight feet high, extending from
one to the other. Within the enclosure were a number of cabins
for the use of families, and the principal entrance was through
a gateway on the side next to the straggling village.

In May and June, 1777, a number of savage
forays upon the settlements took place, and as the season advanced,
these depredations became more bold and frequent. So imminent
was the danger, that the people threw aside their private pursuits;
the troops were constantly in service, and civil jurisdiction
gave place for months to martial law throughout the country.
In September it was ascertained that a large Indian force was
concentrating on the Sandusky River, under the direction of the
notorious white renegade and tory, Simeon Girty. This savage
host, numbering, according to various estimates, from three hundred
and eighty to five hundred warriors, having completed the preparations
for their campaign, took up their line of march in the direction
of Limestone, Kentucky; and were brought by their leader before
the walls of Fort Henry, before the scouts employed by Colonel
Shepherd were able to discover his real design.

They were made aware of this in the night
by seeing the smoke caused by the burning of a blockhouse twelve
miles below; and the inhabitants of the village and several families
in the neighborhood betook themselves to the fort for safety.
At break of day, a man despatched to bring in some horses having
been killed, a party of fourteen was sent to dislodge the savages
from a corn-field near the fort. They found themselves unexpectedly
and furiously assailed by the whole of Girty's army, and but
two survived the skirmish. Others who had pressed to their relief,
fell into an ambuscade, and two-thirds of their number perished.
The Indians then advanced with loud whoops to take their position
before the fort. The garrison, which had at first numbered forty-two
fighting men, was now reduced to twelve, including boys. Girty,
having posted his forces, appeared with a white flag, and demanded
their surrender in the name of His Britannic Majesty; but Colonel
Shepherd promptly replied that he should only obtain possession
of the fort when there remained no longer an American soldier
to defend it. The little band had a sacred charge to protect;
their mothers, sisters, wives and children were assembled around
them, and they resolved to fight to the last extremity, trusting
in Heaven for a successful issue.

For many hours, after the opening of the siege,
the firing of the Indians, eager for butchery, was met by a sure
and weIl-directed fire from the garrison, which was composed
of excellent marksmen. But the stock of gunpowder in the fort
was nearly exhausted! A favorable opportunity was offered by
the temporary suspension of hostilities, to procure a keg of
powder known to be in the house of Ebenezer Zane, about sixty
yards from the gate. The commandant explained the matter to his
men, and, unwilling to order any one upon an enterprise so desperate,
asked who would volunteer for the perilous service. The person
going and coming would necessarily be exposed to the danger of
being shot down by the Indians; yet three or four young men promptly
offered to undertake it. The Colonel answered that only one man
could be spared, and left it to them to decide who it should
be. While they disputed - every moment of time being precious,
from the danger of a renewal of the attack before the powder
could be procured - the interposition of a young girl put an
end to their generous contention. Elizabeth, the sister of Ebenezer
and Silas Zane, came forward, and requested that she might be
permitted to go for the powder. Her proposition at first met
with a peremptory refusal; but she renewed her petition with
steadfast earnestness; nor would she be dissuaded from her heroic
purpose by the remonstrances of the commandant and her anxious
relatives. Either of the young men, it was represented, would
be more likely than herself to perform the task successfully,
by reason of greater familiarity with danger, and swiftness in
running. Her answer was that her knowledge of the danger attending
the undertaking was her reason for offering to perform the service;
her loss would not be felt, while not a single soldier could
be spared from the already weakened garrison. This argument prevailed;
her request was granted; and when she had divested herself of
such portions of clothing as might impede her speed, the gate
was opened for her to pass out.

The opening of the gate arrested the attention
of several Indians straggling through the village, and it could
be seen from the fort that the eyes of the savages were upon
Elizabeth as she crossed the open space, walking as rapidly as
possible, to reach her brother's house. But probably deeming
a woman's life not worth the trouble of taking, or influenced
by some sudden freak of clemency, they permitted her to pass
without molestation.

In a few moments she re-appeared, carrying
the powder in her arms, and walked at her utmost speed towards
the gate. One account says the powder was tied in a table-cloth,
and fastened round her waist. The Indians doubtless suspected,
this time, the nature of her burden; they raised their fire-locks,
and discharged a leaden storm at her as she went on; but the
balls whistled past her harmless, and the intrepid girl reached
the fort in safety with her prize.

The story of this siege has been preserved
in the collections of Virginia as the most important event in
the history of Wheeling, and is enumerated among the battles
of the Revolution. The brothers Silas and Ebenezer Zane received
honor for having contributed to its final success; nor did the
courageous conduct of the women pass unacknowledged. The wife
of Ebenezer, and others, undismayed by the bloody strife going
on, employed themselves in running bullets and preparing patches
for the use of the garrison, and by their presence at every point
where they could perform useful service, and their cheering encouragement
of their defenders, inspired the soldiers with new energy for
desperate resistance. The noble act of Elizabeth, in particular,
caused an enthusiasm which contributed to sustain their courage
when fate seemed against them, till the arrival of relief.

Elizabeth had but recently returned from school
in Philadelphia, and was totally unused to such scenes as were
daily exhibited on the frontier. She married twice, and afterwards
lived in Ohio with Mr. Clarke, her last husband. An Ohio newspaper
states that she has raised a family of children, and was living,
a short time since, near St. Clairsville.